Tokyo Vice is a crime drama series that explores the dark criminal underbelly of Tokyo through the lens of an American journalist. The series depicts the lives of those involved with the Japanese mafia known as the Yakuza. After the show recently concluded its second season, creator J. T. Rogers sat down for a conversation and discussed different aspects of the show.
During an interview, Rogers was asked about the show’s depiction of Yakuza and revealed whether the crew received help from actual members of the criminal organization. At the same time, Rogers also discussed the challenges of filming the series on location in the city of Tokyo. Here is everything Rogers said about working on Tokyo Vice.
Tokyo Vice Creator J. T. Rogers Reveals if the Yakuza Were Involved in the Show
Based on Jake Adelstein’s book of the same name, Tokyo Vice stars Ansel Elgort as a fictionalized version of the author/journalist, who ventures into the Tokyo underworld. The show’s second season recently concluded on April 4, 2024, and creator J. T. Rogers spoke with The Hollywood Reporter about his work on the series.
During the interview, Rogers was asked whether the show’s crew received any assistance from actual members of the Yakuza, especially because of its detailed look at the Yakuza culture and lifestyle. In response, Rogers stated:
“To be clear, legally and following the rules, no one in our show can speak to anyone who is a member of the yakuza. It is illegal. And we have not, and I want to be very clear about that.”
However, Rogers noted that several individuals who had left the criminal organization worked as extras on the show. After Rogers explained the show’s approach to depicting the Yakuza culture, these individuals opened up and shared details about the inner workings of the organization.
“A lot of the yakuza who are extras, a lot of people with extraordinary tattoos were extras, were ex-yakuza who were advisers who spoke with us.”
Rogers made the above statement explaining how the show was able to depict the Yakuza culture with authenticity. However, his words also clarify that no active members of the organization were directly involved with the show’s production, and doing so would have been illegal.
J. T. Rogers Discusses the Challenges of Filming Tokyo Vice On Location
During the same interview, Rogers also spoke about the challenges of filming the series on location in Tokyo. Rogers noted that filming in Tokyo was quite different from filming in New York or Los Angeles, where attaining permission to close down roads is easier.
“We have to talk to the policeman on the street, and that madam so and so, who lives in that corner, if she wants to go get bread across the street, we have to shut down your shoot, literally.”
Rogers made the above statement about the challenge of filming in Tokyo. He admitted that while he admired the outlook of the citizens, getting permission was a challenge for the production crew. However, Rogers praised the location crew for their efforts in helping them shoot on location as much as possible. Rogers also stated that he viewed Tokyo as a main character, making it important for the crew to include several real locations.
Tokyo Vice is streaming on Max.
